Kim Jong-dae "Yongsan Office? Even a Doghouse Isn't Demolished Like This"

"Ministry of National Defense and JCS, the place where all military systems are integrated"... Concerns over weakening military control functions
"If the President takes over the Ministry of National Defense, all other organizations except the minister will be scattered everywhere"

Former Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae criticized President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's plan to relocate the Ministry of National Defense office to Yongsan.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Military expert and former Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae criticized the incoming President Yoon Seok-yeol's side for announcing plans to relocate the presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building, saying, "Even a doghouse wouldn't be demolished like this."

On the 17th, Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "After speaking with people inside and outside the Ministry of National Defense, the reactions were astonishing," and added, "It was an unimaginable bolt from the blue that left them almost stunned. A few days ago, they were notified to vacate the Ministry of National Defense building within a month because the president would be moving in."

Kim said, "Ministry of National Defense officials do not openly speak about it, but they feel embarrassed and humiliated by the unilateral notice to 'vacate the house' without any consultation or public discussion," adding, "Even a dog raised at home wouldn't be humiliated in this way."

Kim expressed concern, saying, "I am worried about what will happen next." He explained, "The Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) oversee the combined command and control system (AKJCCS) that directs operations across the Korean Peninsula. They also have systems that can be used for counterterrorism operations, integrated defense situations, disaster, and crisis management. It is literally the government's crisis management headquarters. Additionally, they manage military intelligence and data from allied countries. Only authorized personnel handling Special Intelligence (SI) can access these functions."

Kim continued, "If the president occupies the Ministry of National Defense building, the defense minister will move their office to the JCS. Due to limited building space, the rest of the Ministry of National Defense staff will be scattered in various locations," pointing out, "This means the minister and the Ministry of National Defense will be separated."

He further argued, "There is a possibility that the military control function of the Ministry of National Defense, that is, civilian control, could be weakened or diminished." He added, "The JCS will also have to vacate the chairman's office, and some personnel will have to move out or the organization will have to be downsized to accommodate the Ministry of National Defense staff. The JCS command and control room must be rearranged to allow the president and their aides to enter during a crisis. Originally, this space belongs to the JCS chairman. But if a superior forcefully enters, it is questionable whether command authority can be properly maintained. Considering these chain effects, it will be a complete mess," he elaborated.

Finally, Kim said, "Yoon Seok-yeol and his close aides are desperate to push through this exhausting task. They are literally crazy," emphasizing, "There is no Ministry of National Defense staff or JCS officer who would not be surprised by the recklessness of forcing this when the current Blue House could be further opened and made more accessible to citizens to resolve the issue." Kim also urged Yoon's side to reconsider, saying, "Stop at this point. Going further will become dangerous. This is sincere advice."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.